The way of Jesus leads us to a deeper, fuller life. This was true in the ancient world where Jesus first lived and taught, and it’s still true today. But what does it mean to actually practice the way of Jesus in today’s complex, secular world? In this podcast, join John Mark Comer and other guides as they explore this important question through practical teachings and conversations. At Practicing the Way, we are here to help you journey to a deeper life with God.
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What does it mean to wait with hope? Gemma Ryan explores the story of Simeon—a man who waited decades for the Messiah—and invites us into three transformative questions: What are you waiting for? Who are you becoming as you wait? And what is sustaining you in the waiting? She shows us how waiting isn't passive but active, and how our seasons of in-between can become the very places where God refines and transforms us. Key Scripture Passages: Luke 2v1-7, 22-35; Psalm 130; Isaiah 40; Galatians 4v4...
What do we do when community gets difficult? John Mark explores the inevitable challenges that arise in deep community and introduces a six-stage cycle that all healthy relationships go through. He shares why commitment is required to stay together long enough to actually grow into people of love. Key Scripture Passages: 1 Corinthians 3v1-4; Matthew 6v15 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Connie from...
This episode explores the profound challenge of shame in relationships, tracing its origins to the Garden of Eden and identifying it as the underlying cause of modern isolation despite issues like busyness and digital distraction. John Mark explains how true confession, not just to God but to trusted community, acts as a powerful healing practice, liberating us from shame and fostering deep connection and spiritual growth. The episode emphasizes that being fully known and truly loved is key to overcoming our deepest fears.
John Mark Comer discusses how sharing our highs and lows in community can deepen relationships and lead to healing. He highlights Jesus' examples of both joyful celebration at the Last Supper and profound sorrow in Gethsemane, emphasizing that joy is a divine attribute and a spiritual discipline, while shared sorrow allows for healing from trauma. The episode encourages listeners to practice honest conversation around the table, fostering resilient and loving communities.
What does it mean to live as the family of God? John Mark explores how we're created for relationship and why spiritual formation can't happen in isolation. He unpacks the biblical vision of church as a "fictive kinship group" and shows us how transformation happens not just on Sunday mornings, but around the dining room table with people who become family. Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 1v26-27; Mark 1v16-18; Mark 3v13-14, 32-35; Romans 8v15; Acts 2v42-47 This podcast and its episodes are paid...
John Mark Comer delves into the profound meaning of Sabbath, tracing its origins from creation to the Ten Commandments, highlighting its evolution from remembering God's rest to observing freedom from slavery. He argues that in a culture of relentless overwork and consumption, Sabbath serves as a crucial act of defiance against "modern Egypt," breaking addictions to accomplishment and accumulation. Ultimately, practicing Sabbath is presented as vital for spiritual health, emotional well-being, and a path to a more joyful and contented life, aligning with God's design for human flourishing.
This episode delves into Jesus' profound teachings on money, possessions, and trust from Matthew 6, urging listeners to resist the pervasive 'work more, buy more, repeat' mentality of Western culture. John Mark Comer unpacks the concepts of earthly vs. heavenly treasures, the link between worry and worship, and the impossibility of serving both God and mammon. He then offers practical ways to live out Jesus' vision through simplicity, generosity, and a God-saturated spirituality, ultimately leading to a life of greater joy and peace.
This episode delves into the spiritual discipline of saying "no" to live a focused and purposeful life amidst endless opportunities. John Mark Comer uses Jesus' life as a model, illustrating how His clarity on vocation allowed Him to prioritize His divine calling by intentionally declining even good opportunities. The teaching challenges listeners to identify their God-given purpose, embrace self-management in a world of choices, and ruthlessly eliminate distractions to say a profound "yes" to what truly matters.
How do we work for the glory of God? John Mark unpacks Paul's vision in 1 Corinthians 10 to "do everything for the glory of God" and applies it to our everyday work, showing how we glorify God not only in what we do, but in how we do it. Key Scripture Passages: 1 Corinthians 10v25-31; Romans 1; Proverbs 22v29; Daniel 1 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Caleb from Fort Mill, South Carolina; Michael f...
John Mark Comer delves into what it means to be a "culture-maker" based on Genesis, emphasizing that God commands all humans to build civilization and discover unique vocations. He defines vocation as an inseparable God-given identity and calling, illustrating this with Saul's dramatic conversion and acknowledging the more ordinary path for most. The episode then offers eight practical questions, touching on passions, abilities, the world's needs, external guidance, and spiritual stirring, to help listeners discern and live out their God-given purpose.
In this episode, John Mark Comer kicks off a series exploring what it means to be human, drawing from his book "Garden City." He challenges the notion that work is a curse, reframing it as a fundamental blessing and part of our royal calling to cultivate God's world. Comer passionately argues against the sacred-secular divide, asserting that all of life and all forms of work are spiritual and deeply matter to God. He encourages listeners to dream big about their identity and calling, patiently working to unleash their potential in the ongoing "garden project" to build a flourishing, garden-like world.
John Mark Comer and Father Ronald Rolheiser explore the three stages of the spiritual journey: getting your life together, giving your life away, and giving your death away. Father Rolheiser shares insights from his battle with cancer, emphasizing gratitude and presence. They discuss cultural resistance to interiority, the importance of community, and the challenges of sustaining faith over a lifetime, offering wisdom for each stage.
"If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus." John Mark concludes the Vision series with a pastoral word on hurry, unpacking how hurry does violence to the soul, erodes our capacity for transformation, and why following Jesus requires us to slow down and adopt his lifestyle, not just his teachings. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 11v28–30; Luke 10v38–42 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special th...
John Mark Comer delves into Luke 9, contrasting Jesus' invitation to self-denial with modern society's pursuit of personal satisfaction. He clarifies that taking up the cross means a daily, metaphorical death to selfish desires, including those that may seem good but are not God's call. The episode highlights the conflict between the gospel of "Jesus is Lord" and Western anti-authoritarianism, emphasizing that while discipleship has a cost, the reward of true life and happiness in God is far greater than what is given up.
John Mark Comer delves into the profound question of how we change, highlighting that true spiritual transformation requires partnership with the Holy Spirit, not just self-effort. He unpacks the concept of willpower versus the Spirit's power, using biblical examples and psychological insights. The episode distinguishes between rare breakthrough moments and the slow, consistent process of change through spiritual disciplines, community, and abiding in Christ, emphasizing that character development is a lifelong journey often shaped by hardship.
This episode delves into the inevitable conflicts within community, arguing that fruitful confrontation, done in love, is crucial for moving from disillusionment to acceptance in relationships. It contrasts modern societal approaches to conflict, heavily influenced by social media's shame culture, with a Christ-centered model based on understanding one's identity and extending grace. Practical advice is offered on how to engage in confrontation effectively by starting with identity, fostering grace, and applying Jesus's teachings from Matthew 18, ultimately pointing one another back to Christ for true transformation.
What does it really mean for a church to be a family? Bethany Allen unpacks a powerful vision of community not as an optional add-on to the Christian life, but as the very environment where transformation takes place. Bethany explores why community is both beautiful and broken, and how Jesus invites us to move through disappointment, unmet expectations, and past pain into a healing family of faith. Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 1v26–27; Genesis 3v6–13; Genesis 12v1–3; Luke 8v19–21; Galatians 3...
Can we follow Jesus alone? John Mark explores the essential—but often overlooked—role of community in spiritual formation. Drawing from the life of Jesus and the early church, he shows how transformation doesn’t happen in isolation but in the messy, beautiful tension between the ideal of community and its imperfect reality. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 4v18-22; Matthew 9v9-13; Acts 2v42-47; Romans 12v15; 1 John 4v20 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of mo...
This episode explores the vital role of spiritual disciplines, or "practices of Jesus," in genuine transformation. John Mark Comer addresses the challenges of living out faith in a post-Christian, hyper-individualistic, and busy modern society, arguing that true change comes not from trying harder but from consistent, disciplined training. He likens spiritual growth to athletic training, highlighting how specific practices cultivate our hearts, align us with God's power, and lead to a life of profound purpose and joy.
How do we actually change? John Mark dives deep into two core elements of our working theory of change: teaching and practice. He shows how true transformation doesn’t come from inspiration alone, but through a rewiring of our minds and a reshaping of our habits, inviting us to a more holistic vision of apprenticeship to Jesus. Key Scripture Passages: Mark 1v14-15; Matthew 7v24-27; Romans 12v1-3; 2 Corinthians 2v16; 2 Corinthians 10v5; Colossians 3v3; Philippians 3v5 This podcast and its episode...
What does it mean to actually live like Jesus? John Mark explores the third goal of apprenticeship: doing what Jesus did, showing us how Jesus invites us to participate in His Kingdom work through everyday acts of love, hospitality, and Spirit-empowered presence—and challenges us to say yes, right where we are, in our real lives. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 4v18-25; Matthew 8v18-22; Matthew 9v9-13; Matthew 9v35-10v8; Matthew 28v16-20; 1 Peter 2v11-12; Luke 19v10; Luke 7v34-35; Romans 12. Thi...
This episode delves into the profound call for Jesus' apprentices to undergo radical transformation, becoming like their teacher. John Mark debunks common myths about change, such as relying solely on knowledge or expecting passive spiritual growth. He outlines a comprehensive framework for intentional spiritual formation, highlighting the synergistic roles of teaching, consistent spiritual practices, supportive community, and the active presence of the Holy Spirit, all unfolding over time and often catalyzed by life's hardships.
How do we cultivate a deep relationship with God? Using key scriptures and church history examples to give a tangible vision of how to “practice the presence of God,” John Mark shows that through abiding, we have access to the peace and joy that Jesus promised as we adopt the spiritual disciplines that Jesus exemplified. Key Scripture Passages: John 1v35-49; John 14v16-15v8; Galatians 5v13-26 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thank...
Have you ever wanted to experience the abundant life of Jesus? John Mark outlines the what, how, and why behind Practicing the Way, diving into the cultural context behind Jesus's identity as a first-century rabbi, and what that means for us as His followers as we practice being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. Key Scripture Passages: Mark 8v34-36; Mark 1v16-20; Mark 2v13-14; Mark 3v13-14; John 15v1-8; Matthew 5-7 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle...
Do you know about God's love but struggle to actually feel it? Brandon Shields, Director of Church Engagement at Practicing the Way, shares his personal journey of moving from knowing about God’s love intellectually to experiencing it in a way that heals, transforms, and reshapes how we relate to others. He invites us to open ourselves to God’s loving presence and challenges us to not just receive that love, but to become it—embodied in how we see, hold, and care for one another. Key Scripture P...
What comes out of you when life squeezes you? John Mark explores the transformative power of Scripture memorization—not as a childhood relic, but as a vital practice for spiritual formation, mental renewal, and resilience in suffering. He challenges us to build an inner library of God’s Word so that, like Jesus, we’re prepared to meet pain, temptation, and everyday moments with truth formed deep in our hearts. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 27v45-54 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by ...
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by how complex the Bible is—or worry you’re getting it wrong? John Mark explores the practice of study, showing how understanding the Bible’s context, language, and literary form opens us up to deeper transformation. He encourages us to study not to prove a point, but to grow in love for God. Key Scripture Passage: Luke 4v1-13 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: York Allia...
Why does the Bible feel disconnected from real life? John Mark unpacks the ancient practice of meditating on Scripture. He invites us to slow down, savor, and let it shape us from the inside out. Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 1v1-3 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Anna from San Jose, California; Brandon from Clive, Iowa; Sam from Ryde, New South Wales; Lauren from Smyrna, Georgia; and John from Lond...
John Mark Comer delves into the profound role of Scripture in spiritual formation, tracing the historical fight for Bible access through figures like William Tyndale and addressing modern challenges to engaging with it. He emphasizes Jesus' high view of the Bible as a living story that fulfills prophecy, not just a book of timeless truths. The episode distinguishes between informational and transformational reading, offering practical guidance for daily practice and encouraging listeners to approach Scripture with a posture of listening, expecting to encounter Jesus on its pages for full life redemption.
What does it actually mean to be holy—and is it even possible? John Mark explores the biblical meaning of holiness, and how we grow in it. He invites us to begin the journey toward holiness not with striving, but by recognizing our powerlessness, listening for the Spirit’s quiet invitations, and taking one small step at a time. Key Scripture Passage: Philippians 1v1 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to:...
